XXXVIII ANNUAL REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 



being identical with tlie Tyigli language, was omitted. From 

 April 18, at which date work at the Warm Spring agency was 

 finished, until June 30, the time was devoted to collecting myths 

 in the Klamath reservation and at Yreka. 



During the whole period of work all the myths that could 

 be found among the people whose languages were being in- 

 vestig-ated were reduced to writing. In this manner a large 

 body of Nosa, Atsugei, Tyigh, and Wasco mj^ths was col- 

 lected. In the cases of Klamath and Shasti, myths were the 

 objects directly in view 



The vocabularies were obtained with satisfactory^ complete- 

 ness and the verbal systems worked out in detail. 



The Nosa is remarkable for a regularity of structure which 

 yields to analysis and has a certain monotonous harmony of 

 sound. 



The Atsugei has a sonorous roll, a strong letter r, and a 

 certain numljcjr of words in common wiih the Shasti, itselt 

 one of the r languages. 



GENERAL FIELD WORK. 

 WORK OF DR. WASHINGTON MATTHEWS. 



Dr. Washington Matthews, assistant surgeon U. S. Armv, 

 continued his investigations among the Navajo Indians in New 

 Mexico and Arizona. He liad been stationed in the Navajo 

 country as post surgeon of Fort Wingate, N. Mex., from 1880 

 to 1884, during which time he devoted himself to studying the 

 language, customs, and ceremonies of this tribe as much as his 

 official duties would permit. Some of the great shamanistic 

 ceremonies of the Navajo, occupying nine days for their per- 

 formance, he had often seen in part; but he had never had an 

 opportunity of witnessing one throughout its entire duration, 

 as he had not sufficient time at his disposal. 



Before leaving New Mexico, however, he secured the friend- 

 ship and confidence of some of the leading medicine men and 

 obtained their promise to admit him to their most secret rites 

 during their entire performance whenever he should be able 

 to avail himself of the privilege. He was also promised com- 



